Chapter 79

"Wake up."
Kiki heard a strange voice in the distance, but was so snug and warm that she couldn't wake. Then she smelled the masculine scent of men's aftershave.
"Wake up, sleepyhead." She felt his breath brush across her face as he spoke.
Then everything came rushing back to her. The fire, the hospital, Taren bringing her to The North Pole Lodge- "Taren." Her eyes opened, suddenly wide awake, and Taren was kneeling beside her bed. No, she wasn't dreaming. She placed her hand on his cheek. "You're still here."
His lips curled into a smile. "Of course, I'm still here." He gave her a quick kiss on the nose. "Lunch is ready. Time to get up. But if you'd rather sleep--"
"No, I don't want you to go," she said before she could stop herself. She sat up in bed, feeling as if she had been run over by a truck. But waking up to the sight of Taren in her new apartment was definitely something she could get used to.
"Good," he replied, helping her from the bed, "because I'm hungry." He motioned toward the kitchen with his head. "Let's go."
Kiki wobbled a bit when she got to her feet, but Taren wrapped his arm around her and held her hand to support her.
"You okay?" A crease formed between his eyes.
Kiki smiled. "I'm fine. Just a bit woozy, I guess."
Taren looked into her eyes. "If you'd like to lay back down, I could bring lunch to you."
Kiki chuckled. "Lunch in bed? Tempting, but no. I'll be fine."
"Good! Because I slaved away on this lunch and don't want it to go to waste," he teased, releasing her. Kiki already felt his absence.
Kiki smiled as she walked into the kitchen. "Well, we don't want that to happen- especially if you 'slaved away' on it."
Taren laughed. "Well, I don't know how much slaving I did, truth be told."
In the kitchen, the table was set with bowls of soup with a sandwich on each plate, along with mugs of hot chocolate. The snow fell lightly outside through the plate glass window that stretched across the living room to the left, creating the perfect backdrop.
"Wow! This looks fabulous," Kiki gushed. "You did all this?"
Taren smiled as he held out her chair, and pushed it under her as she sat down. "What? Open a can of soup and make a couple of sandwiches?" He sat down in the chair to the side of her. "It's not considered cooking when it comes out of a can."
Kiki smiled as she shook out her napkin and laid it across her lap. "Hey. If you turn on the stove, it's cooking in my book."
"Well-." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I like your book. Now, let's eat."
"Would you like to say the blessing?" she asked.
He smiled. "Why don't you say it?"
She nodded and said a blessing over the meal, thanking God for the good company and good food. Kiki knew that she was quickly becoming accustomed to Taren being there. She didn't want to think about what it would feel like when he left. But she quickly pushed the thought aside, not wanting to think about it just yet.
She took a sip of her soup and swallowed. "Um- this is delicious. Minestrone?"
He nodded. "Yes. I thought you could use some warming up. It'll make you feel better."
"How very thoughtful." She picked up her hot chocolate. "A toast. To Christmas."
He held up his mug. "To us." Then he clinked his mug against hers.
She was taken aback, but was determined not to read too much into it. "To us."
He smiled and then turned his attention to his soup and sandwich.
"So, when do you have to go to work next?" she asked, and then took another sip of her soup.
"Not until the day after tomorrow," he replied. "I was wanting to ask you something."
"Oh?" Kiki took another sip of her hot chocolate, letting it warm her.
He nodded. "Yes. Would you like to come over for Christmas tonight?"
Kiki played with her food. "But it's not Christmas."
"Well, since we didn't get to spend Christmas Eve together--my mother, daughter, and me--we thought we'd have a celebration tonight. And I thought since you were in the hospital over Christmas-."
She felt her eyebrows pull together in concern. "Are you sure your mother wouldn't mind?"
Taren smiled. "It was her idea."
"Then, I'd love to." Even though it may have been a pity invite, she couldn't resist spending time with Abby and Evelyn, as well as Taren. Pity or not, she'd take it. "Thank you."
A broad smile spread across his face. "Good. I'll pick you up at five o'clock?"
"Sounds good," she replied. "What would you like me to bring?"
He shook his head. "Nothing at all."
She nodded, but had no intention of going empty handed. Kiki made a mental note to pick up something before going over. "So, what would you like for Christmas?"
"You don't have to get me anything." Taren reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Just you being there is enough of a present for me." Then he released her hand, suddenly appearing uncomfortable. "I know that sounds corny, but--"
"No. It doesn't sound corny at all." A smile spread across her lips. "It's nice."
"Well-." Taren cleared his throat. "Let's eat. It's getting cold."
She nodded and then the conversation turned lite as they turned their attention back to eating. Remarkably, she felt quite comfortable with Taren- too comfortable for her heart's own good. Even though she kept telling herself that he was just being nice, her heart was hoping for more.
When they were finished, Taren dabbed at his lips and then laid his napkin beside his plate. "Well, that was good, if I do say so myself."
"It was delicious. Thank you," Kiki agreed.
He started stacking the dishes, but Kiki stopped him. "No. You cooked lunch, so the least I can do is to do the dishes."
"Nope," he replied, taking her plate. "You need to rest. And if it's too much to come over tonight--"
"Nope. I'm looking forward to it." Kiki stood and helped him stack the dishes. "I'll tell you what. I'll wash and you dry."
He pretended to think about it for a moment and then replied, "Deal."